Let's look at what study resources the CCP recommends for the third level of the program, Advanced Cicerone. If you're taking the AC exam you've already passed the CC exam and know that it's a pretty difficult test. The CC exam's passage rate is less than 40%, about 1 in 3. That's worse than the NY or CA State Bar Exams. The AC exam's pass rate is likely to be similar at best. So, while the CCP says, "while it is not mandatory to review all of these resources in preparation for our exams, we hope candidates can utilize this list in conjunction with the syllabi to focus their studies," I would recommend reading and studying all of these resources. If you're taking the AC exam, you're probably already on board with that!

If you want to be a beer guru, you have to read about beer and brewing...a lot. Books, magazines, blogs, whatever. On your way to becoming an expert, you'll tear through a shelf full of beer books. First, you need to read several "intro to craft beer" type books, they cover loads of material you need to know. Reading several of them will pound the basics into your head and give you a few different perspectives and approaches to beer. Second, you should read a few more specialized books, like one about a single family of beer styles that you really like or about the history of beer in the US. Third, if you're a homebrewer there is a whole separate list of books you should read, which will help make you very beer smart (I highly recommend you give homebrewing a shot if you love beer and/or want to become a Certified Cicerone).

OK, OK, Let's get to it and talk about what you need to read to prep for the Certified Cicerone exam. That's what you're really here for, no?